Tonneau with cargo management basket

ABSTRACT

A tonneau for use with a pick-up truck bed includes a frame for attachment over the truck bed and a cover configured on top of the frame to protect the contents of the bed. The tonneau further includes a slidable cargo basket configured at the rear of the pick-up truck bed for enabling easy cargo access. The cargo management basket includes a plurality of slidable panels that are foldable allowing users to easily access the truck bed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to U.S. Design patent application Ser. No.29/677,345 entitled “A TONNEAU WITH CARGO MANAGEMENT BASKET” filed Jan.18, 2019 and owned by Reliable Engineered Products, LLC.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to truck pick-up accessories andmore particularly to a tonneau having a cargo management basket.

BACKGROUND

A tonneau cover or “tonneau” is well known in automotive terminology andgenerally refers to a cargo space area of a car or truck that opens fromthe top. In a pickup truck or utility vehicle having an open bed, thetonneau often describes a hard or soft cover used to protect the cargobed from the environment. Hard tonneau covers open by a hinged orfolding mechanism while soft covers typically open by rolling up thesoft vinyl material. Both types of covers work to conceal and/or coverthe bed and/or cargo. The tonneau also keeps items in the truck bed outof the driving environment by providing extra security to keep personalitems out of sight.

One of the problems associated in using a tonneau, in connection withthe truck bed, deals with the truck while in motion. When an item islocated in the bed for transport, it can move freely around the bedunder the tonneau with the motion of the vehicle. In the case ofgroceries or other fragile items, this can have disastrous consequenceseven under the best driving conditions since the truck and cargo can bedamaged by items rolling round in the bed.

Accordingly, a tonneau with additional features for securing items isneeded for use with an open bed pick-up truck.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer toidentical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate viewsand which together with the detailed description below are incorporatedin and form part of the specification, serve to further illustratevarious embodiments and to explain various principles and advantages allin accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 1 is an exploded view illustrating the tonneau cover framesubassembly and cargo management subassembly according to an embodimentof the invention.

FIG. 1A is an upper perspective view of the tonneau cover framesubassembly.

FIG. 1B is an upper perspective view of the cargo managementsubassembly.

FIG. 1C is a lower perspective view of the cargo management subassembly.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the tonneau assembly where the floorpan in the cargo management basket is fully deployed in the forwardposition.

FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the tonneau assembly functionalitywhere the floor pan in the cargo basket is partially folded and thesliding gates are open.

FIG. 2C is perspective view of the tonneau assembly where the floor pansare fully stowed, the short gate assemblies are fully stowed, and thetall gate assemblies are pivoting into their stowed positions.

FIG. 2D is a perspective view of the tonneau assembly where the floorpans, tall gate assemblies, and short gate assemblies are illustrated intheir fully stowed positions.

FIG. 3 is a magnified view of the passenger tall and short gateassemblies folded into the stowed position as shown in FIG. 2D.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the cargo management basket in adeployed forward position with the truck bed tailgate closed.

FIG. 4B is a perspective view of the cargo management basket in adeployed forward position with the truck bed tailgate open.

FIG. 4C is a perspective view of the cargo management basket in adeployed extended position with the truck bed tailgate down.

FIG. 4D is a perspective view of the cargo management basket illustratedin the stowed extended position over the truck bed tailgate.

FIG. 4E is a perspective view of the cargo management basket illustratedin its forward stowed position against the sides of the truck bed.

FIG. 5 is also a perspective view of the cargo management basket showninside the truck bed in a stowed position.

FIG. 5A is a magnified preservative view of the cargo management basketin a stowed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before describing in detail embodiments that are in accordance with thepresent invention, it should be observed that the embodiments resideprimarily in combinations of apparatus components related to a tonneaupick-up bed cover. Accordingly, the apparatus components and methodsteps have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols inthe drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent tounderstanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not toobscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent tothose of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the descriptionherein.

In this document, relational terms such as first and second, top andbottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity oraction from another entity or action without necessarily requiring orimplying any actual such relationship or order between such entities oractions. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variationthereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that aprocess, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elementsdoes not include only those elements but may include other elements notexpressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, orapparatus. An element proceeded by “comprises a . . . ” does not,without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identicalelements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprisesthe element.

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a tonneau and its cover according to anembodiment of the invention. The tonneau assembly 100 includes a coverframe subassembly 101 and a cargo management basket subassembly 102. Thecover frame subassembly 101 works in combination with the cargomanagement basket subassembly 102 for providing a cover over the truckbed by providing the user with additional utility of providing aslidable cargo management basket which provides the user with easyaccess to cargo items.

FIG. 1A is an upper perspective view of the tonneau cover framesubassembly. The tonneau cover frame subassembly 101A is comprised of adriver side rail 103, a front header 105, a passenger side rail 107, arear header 109, and a plurality of side rail clamps 106. The frame 101Ais substantially rectangular in shape where both frame 101 and the cargomanagement basket subassembly 102 are manufactured of plastic or metalmaterial allowing it to remain rigid while covering the pick-up truckbed. The frame rails 103 and 107 are angled so they can be positioned ata point on the top edge of the truck bed and the inner edge of the truckbed. Each respective rail 103, 107 attaches to the upper rim of thetruck bed using a side rail clamp 106 that frictionally engages underthe rim of the truck bed to hold the cover frame subassembly 101A into afixed position. In one embodiment, four (4) clamps can be positionedunder both the driver side rail 103 and passenger side rail 107 for usewith up to 7 foot and 8-foot sized pick-up long beds. Further, the frame101A includes a plurality of cross-bar supports 111, 113, 115 that workto provide cross-support for the tonneau cover on the frame subassembly.The tonneau cover used to cover the frame subassembly 101A is typicallya strong material such as cloth, vinyl or metal to protect any cargofrom theft and/or environmental elements when placed within the truckbed.

FIG. 1B is an upper perspective view of the cargo management basketsubassembly. FIG. 1C is a lower perspective view of the cargo managementbasket subassembly. With regard to both FIG. 1B and FIG. 1C, the cargomanagement basket subassembly 102 is substantially rectangular forming adrawer-like shape and is formed using a plurality of panels supported bya frame. More specifically, the front of the basket is formed by adriver side short pivot gate 117, a driver side short slide gate 119, apassenger side short sliding gate 121 and a passenger side short pivotgate 123. The driver side short slide gate 119 and the passenger shortsliding gate 121 are joined or latched together at their upper or topedge using a short gate slide lock 120 that bridges the gates 121, 123holding them in position.

Similarly, the rear of the basket if formed by a driver side tall pivotgate 125, driver side tall sliding gate 127, passenger side tall slidinggate 129 and passenger side tall pivot gate 131. The driver side tallsliding gage 127 and passenger side tall sliding gate 129 are alsojoined or latched together at their upper edge using a tall gate slidelock 128. The sides of the basket are formed by driver side panel 133and passenger side panel 135. The bottom of the basket is formed using aplurality of folding panels. These include first driver side floor pan137, and second driver side floor pan 139, first passenger side floorpan 141 and second passenger side floor pan 143. Although the cargomanagement basket 102 typically uses a solid floor pan, those skilled inthe art will also recognize the bottom of the cargo management basketcan also include or be replaced with a net or mesh-like material tosecurely hold items in the basket.

The cargo management basket subassembly 102 is supported by and issuspended from a driver roller rail 145 and a passenger roller rail 147.A driver roller plate 149 and passenger roller plate 151 work with therespective roller rail 145, 147 allowing the roller plate to move and/orglide along the rail. This enables the cargo management basket 102 tomove between a fully extended and fully forward position. The driverroller plate 149 and passenger roller plate 151 both include a slidermechanism, roller bearing or the like allowing a smooth and easy motionalong each of the roller rails 145, 147. Each of the driver roller rail145 and passenger side rail 147 is adjusted in the truck bed using arespective tensioner 153, 155 located at the end of each rail. Thetensioner 153, 155 provides a back stop which applies tension on theroller rails for ease of operation as well as unclamping and moving thebasket to the extended position.

In order that the user may gain easy access to the truck bed, each ofthe gates in the basket slide to open. More specifically, the short gateslide lock 120 is moved to allow the driver side sliding gate 119 andpassenger side sliding gate 121 to be moved outwardly to slide open thuscreating a gap of hole. Similarly, the tall gate slide lock 128 alsomoves to allow the driver side tall slide gate 127 and passenger sidetall slide gate 129 slide outwardly to create and opening or access slotinto the truck bed. Moreover, as described herein, the cargo managementbasket subassembly 102 can be folded to allow full access to the truckbed.

The folding process for storage of the cargo basket includes thefollowing steps.

-   1. Unlatch and slide the cargo management basket 102 to its extended    position.-   2. Fold the first driver floor pan 137 to driver side panel 133.-   3. Fold first passenger floor pan 141 to passenger side pane 135.-   4. Disengage the short gate slide lock 120.-   5. Slide the driver side short sliding gate 119 over the driver side    short pivot gate 117.-   6. Lift and rotate the driver side short pivot gate 117 into its    stowed position next to the second driver side floor pan 139 in its    folded position.-   7. Slide the passenger side short sliding gate 121 over the    passenger side short pivot gate 123.-   8. Lift and rotate the passenger side short pivot gate 123 into its    stowed position next to the second passengers side floor pan 141 in    its folded position.-   9. Disengage tall gate slide lock 128.-   10. Slide the driver side tall sliding gate 127 over the driver side    tall pivot gate 125.-   11. Lift and rotate the driver side tall pivot gate 125 into its    stowed position over to the driver side panel 133 holding the driver    folded assembly.-   12. Slide passenger side tall sliding gate 129 over the passenger    side tall pivot gate 131.-   13. Lift and rotate the passenger side tall pivot gate 131 into its    stowed position over to the passenger side panel 135 holding the    folded passenger assembly.-   14. Return the driver and passenger folded stowed basket assembly to    its forward position in the truck bed.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the tonneau assembly where the floorpan in the cargo management basket is deployed and the basket in itsforward position. The tonneau assembly 200 is illustrated where thecargo management basket 201 is shown in a forward position normally usedin transit. The driver side tall slide gate 203 and passenger side tallslide gate 205 are shown pulled together or closed and the driver sideshort slide gate 207 and passenger side short sliding gate 209 is alsoshown pulled together or closed.

FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the tonneau assembly illustrating thesteps in the folding process for the cargo management basket. Initially,the floor pan in the cargo management basket is folded. The seconddriver side floor pan 211 and folds upon the first driver side floorplan 212. Similarly, the second passenger side floor pan 213 folds uponthe first passenger floor plan 214. The floor pan has concave or“cupped” shape on the edges allowing it to engage in the gate assembliesto maintain its flat surface during normal use. The floor plan includesa plurality of hinges allowing it to fold into quarter sections so to beeasily stored against the side of the truck bed. Thereafter, when theuser desires to fold up the cargo management basket 201, the driver sideshort sliding gate 207 and the and passenger side short sliding gate 209each outwardly slide toward their respective side of the bed to form agap. Similarly, the driver side tall sliding gate 203 and passenger sidetall sliding gate 205 also slide outwardly toward the side of the truckbed to form a gap.

FIG. 2C is perspective view of the tonneau assembly where the floor planis folded and the driver side tall gate assembly 203 is folding upon thedriver side short gate assembly 207. Similarly, the passenger side tallgate assembly 205 is folded upon the passenger side short gate assembly209. As described herein, the floor pans 211, 213 are pivoted upwardlyand folded against the side panels of the basket which are next to theside of the truck bed. The driver side short gate assembly 207 andpassenger side short gate assembly 209 are folded upon the previouslystowed floor pans. Then the drivers tall sliding gate assembly 203 andpassenger side tall gate assembly 205 are then folded upon the shortgate assemblies so the truck bed is fully accessible.

FIG. 2D is a perspective view of the tonneau assembly where the floorpans, driver and passenger tall gate assemblies as well as the driver'sand passenger side short gate assemblies are illustrated in a fullyfolded and stowed position against their respective side panel. Thefolded driver side tall gate assembly 219 and folded passenger side tallgate assembly 221 are shown folded against the folded driver side shortgate assembly 215 and folded passenger side short gate assembly 217 soto be in a stowed position against each respective side of the sidepanel. This enables the user to break-down and fold the cargo managementbasket so that it is folded and stowed out of the way if the entiretruck bed area is needed under the tonneau cover.

FIG. 3 is a magnified view of the folded basket assembly with thepassenger side tall gate assembly folded on the passenger side shortgate assembly as show in FIG. 2D. The folded basket assembly 300 isillustrated with the passenger roller plate 303 that includes a slidablerail 301 that is attached to the roller plate 303 in a manner so that itcan slide longitudinally partially along its length. The slideable rail301 rides within a slot or channel using roller bearings or the likemaking it easy to move along the length to its extended position overthe tailgate of the truck bed. As seen in FIG. 3, the passenger sidetall gate assembly 305 is folded upon the passenger side short gateassembly 307 using one or more hinges 309 or the like.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the cargo management basket in adeployed forward position with the truck bed tailgate closed. The cargomanagement basket 400 is shown in its deployed forward position wherethe truck bed tailgate 401 is shown “raised” or closed. This is thetypical position of the cargo management basket when in use and thevehicle is moving or in transit.

FIG. 4B is a perspective view showing the tonneau with its cargomanagement basket in a deployed forward position and the truck tailgateopen. In this embodiment, the cargo management basket 400 is illustratedwith truck tailgate 401 down where both the driver side tall slidinggate 403, passenger side tall sliding gate 405, driver side shortsliding gate 407 and passenger side short sliding gate 409 areillustrated in a closed position so that items stowed with the cargomanagement basket 411 are contained inside the basket.

FIG. 4C is a perspective view of the cargo management basket in adeployed extended position with the truck bed tailgate down. In thisview, the truck tailgate 401 is down or lowered and the cargo managementbasket assembly 400 is pulled outwardly so that it hangs over thetailgate 401. As noted herein, the cargo management basket 411 issuspended above the tailgate 401 so that it does not touch the surfaceof the of truck bed or tailgate. This is the typical position of thecargo management basket when the cargo is being loaded and unloaded inthe basket.

FIG. 4D is a perspective view of the cargo management basket illustratedstowed and extended over the truck bed tailgate. As described herein,when the user desires to fold the cargo management basket to gain fullaccess to the truck bed, the driver's and passenger tall sliding gatesand the driver and passenger short sliding gates are folded with thefloor pan into their respective positions. In FIG. 4D, the driver sidetall gate assembly 403 and passenger side tall gate assembly 405 areshown folded over the driver side short gate assembly 409 and thepassenger side short gate assembly 410 and is in its stowed extendedposition over the tailgate 401.

FIG. 4E is a perspective view of the cargo management basket illustratedand folded against the sides of the truck bed. In this view, the foldedpanels forming the cargo management basket have been pushed forward fromover the tailgate 401 to the sides of the truck bed just behind thewheel well 413. In this stowed position, the user has full access to thetruck bed for cleaning or carrying large cargo.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the cargo basket shown inside the truckbed in a fully stowed position. FIG. 5A is a magnified preservative viewof the cargo basket in the stowed position. With regard to both FIG. 5and FIG. 5A, the tonneau assembly 500 is shown mounted in the truck bedwhere the truck tailgate 501 in a down position. The driver side floorpan assembly 505 is folded against the driver side panel 506. The driverside short gate assembly 504 is folded upon the driver side floor panassembly 505. The driver side tall gate assembly 503 is folded upon thedriver side short gate assembly 504. When folded in this position, thecargo management basket is positioned on the side and substantially inparallel with the side of the truck bed just behind the wheel well 507toward the truck tailgate. The folded position of the cargo managementbasket assembly allows the user full access to the truck bed.

Thus, the tonneau with a cargo management basket provides high utilityaccessory adding a rear storage compartment or basket to a vehiclehaving a cargo bed. The tonneau provides easy access to the basketproviding an additional means to safely transport everyday items withoutthem moving freely about the bed. This adds safety and prevents damageto both the truck and/or goods. The tonneau requires no alternations onthe vehicle and fastens with clamps to hold the tonneau top rails inplace. The tonneau top rails hold the cover assembly in place along withsupporting the entire storage compartment. Further, the tonneau includesa rear slide out storage compartment that is designed to operate insideof the truck bed while under a protective tonneau cover. Thus, while inuse, the cargo basket can be accessed without having to open the tonneaucover. The cargo basket uses roller that moves in a track on a rail forease of operation allowing access to the basket over the pickup tailgatearea. The cargo basket moves and is suspended above the truck bed sothat it does not touch the bed.

In an alternative embodiment, the cargo basket may also include asling/storage bag or net replacing the bottom of the basket. The bagworks to restrain smaller items without having to individually tie themdown. The sling/storage bag is attached to the front and rear gateswhich creates a storage bag with cover and sides for protection of theitems. The tonneau with cargo management also provides access to theentire length of the truck bed. Both the front and rear gates can beeasily folded away and fastened outside of the truck wheel wells. Thisenables full use of the truck bed for larger items such a plywood,drywall, appliances etc.

In the foregoing specification, specific embodiments of the presentinvention have been described. However, one of ordinary skill in the artappreciates that various modifications and changes can be made withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention as set forth in theclaims below.

Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded in anillustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modificationsare intended to be included within the scope of present invention. Thebenefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) that maycause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become morepronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essentialfeatures or elements of any or all the claims. The invention is definedsolely by the appended claims including any amendments made during thependency of this application and all equivalents of those claims asissued.

1. A tonneau for use with a pick-up truck bed comprising: a frame forattachment over the truck bed; a cover configured on top of the frame toprotect the contents of the bed; and a slidable cargo management basketconfigured at the rear of the pick-up truck bed, such that the basket ismoveable, between a forward and extended position, without removing anyportion of the cover, where the basket is configured over the pick-uptruck tailgate when in the extended position, for providing an easilyaccessible cargo area at the rear end of the bed while standing atground level and preventing movement of cargo in the basket duringvehicle motion in the forward position; and wherein the cargo managementbasket slides on the frame using a rail assembly and is foldable into astowed position for providing access under the frame into the truck bed.2. (canceled)
 3. (canceled)
 4. A tonneau as in claim 1, wherein thecargo basket moves above a floor of the truck bed.
 5. A tonneau as inclaim 1, wherein the slidable cargo basket includes at least oneslidable panel for accessing the truck bed.
 6. A tonneau as in claim 1,wherein the frame is held to the truck bed using a plurality of clamps.7. (canceled)
 8. A tonneau as in claim 1, wherein the slidable cargobasket includes a floor pan that pivots to a folded stowed position. 9.A tonneau for providing a cover for a pick-up truck bed comprising: asubstantially rectangular frame secured under an upper rim of thepick-up truck bed; a cover attached to the frame for protecting cargo inthe pick-up truck bed; a cargo management basket that slides between aforward and extended position without removing the cover such that whenin an extended position the basket extends over a lowered pick-up trucktailgate for allowing cargo to in the basket to be accessible to theuser while standing at the rear of the truck bed; and wherein the cargomanagement basket includes a foldable floor pan.
 10. A tonneau as inclaim 9, wherein the moveable basket uses a plurality of slidable panelsto conceal cargo in the basket.
 11. A tonneau as in claim 9, wherein theframe is held to the truck bed using a plurality of clamps.
 12. Atonneau as in claim 9, wherein the cargo basket slides using a rollerassembly.
 13. (canceled)
 14. A tonneau as in claim 9, wherein themoveable cargo basket is foldable on at least one side of the truck bed.15. (canceled)
 16. A tonneau for covering a pick-up truck bedcomprising: a frame secured under an upper rim of the pickup truck bed;a cover for covering the frame and the pickup truck bed; a slideablebasket and movable without removing any portion of the cover between aforward and extended position where the basket is formed using aplurality of foldable panels for stowing the basket to at least one sideof the pickup truck bed and providing access to the interior thereof;and wherein the slideable basket extends over a lowered pick-up truckgate when in the extended position for allowing user access to theslidable basket at the rear end of the pickup truck bed.
 17. A tonneauas in claim 16, wherein the cargo basket moves using a roller assembly.18. A tonneau as in claim 16, wherein the frame is held under a rim ofthe pick-up truck bed using at least one clamp.
 19. A tonneau as inclaim 16, wherein the basket is foldable to at least one side of thetruck bed.
 20. A tonneau as in claim 16, wherein the basket includes asling bag for preventing movement of the cargo in the basket.
 21. Atonneau for use with a pick-up truck bed comprising: a frame forattachment over the truck bed; a cover configured on top of the frame toprotect the contents of the bed; a cargo basket which slides on a railassembly attached to the frame and moves between a forward and extendedposition for providing an easily accessible cargo area to preventmovement of cargo in the the basket, where the cargo basket is foldableenabling at least one portion of the basket to be configured to a sideof the truck bed for providing access to an interior of the truck bed;and wherein the cargo basket extends over a lowered pick-up truck gatewhen in the extended position for allowing user access to the cargobasket at the rear end of the pickup truck bed.
 22. (canceled)
 23. Atonneau as in claim 21, wherein the slidable cargo basket slides using aroller assembly without touching the truck bed.
 24. A tonneau as inclaim 21, wherein the slidable cargo basket includes at least oneslidable gate for accessing the truck bed.
 25. A tonneau as in claim 21,wherein the frame is held to the truck bed using a plurality of clamps.26. (canceled)
 27. A tonneau as in claim 21, wherein the slidable cargobasket includes a floor pan that pivots into a folded stowed position.